mK3/nc mx5 or S2000???

[davidif]

I'm ready for another toy for the weekends and the odd trackday(maybe 3/4 a year) and possibly a ring trip.

I fancy the idea of a sports car as it would cover these bases and would also be used for weekends away with the other half and so easier to justify!

I've had 3 MX5's previously 2 Mk1's and a Mk3 and whilst I've never owned an S2000 i do have a soft spot for a Honda, my daily is a 2.2 Diesel Civic and i also have a CR-Z so a foot in each camp as it were.

I am of course aware of the performance differential although given that an Mx5 is considerably cheaper i'd be looking to get it to BBR for a 185bhp tune which would lessen the difference. i am lead to believe that the Mazda's chassis is a bit more playful and maybe a little less likely to spit me off into the scenery it would probably be a cheaper car overall and i think i am swayed to the Mazda's looks over the Honda.

I am interested in peoples views and in particular to hear from people who've had this dilemma and as to the direction they eventually took.

[davidif]

I also forgot to add that due to the significantly reduced initial outlay for an MX5 i would look to do some handling mods (coilovers uprated ARB'S?) and a full geo set up immediately whereas i would struggle to justify the additional expense if i had paid considerably more for an S2000.

I guess what i am looking to establish is would a sympathetically modified MX5 be better suited to my intended use than a stock S2000?

Thanks

[davidif]

ZX10R NIN said:

There was a thread on this very subject the other day so I'd say that's worth a search.

Thanks ZX i will.

[davidif]

Actus Reus said:

How tall are you OP? S2000 cabin is a bit tight isn't it? If you fit though, S2000 - as above - it's a special car.

Not tall, about 5'11 so should fit in either!

[davidif]

Jimmy Recard said:

I had an NC. Definitely not built or engineered as well as an S2000, but obviously much cheaper

I spent my entire ownership wishing I had bought an S2000 or Boxster S. Now I have the latter and it’s great

I did buy a cheap one, but I had plenty of problems. Water ingress, PCV valve (biggest pain in the arse in the world to change), structural rust, radiator collapsed internally. It put me off Mazda in general tbh

With the PCV valve bad, it could easily burn a litre of oil in 150 miles or less on track

Mine did two Nürburgring trips and numerous track days with the issue, just with constant oil top ups. Really annoying and expensive!

It did handle nicely, have excellent brakes and never broke down. Also very, very good on petrol. Usual mpg in the 30s

Edited by Jimmy Recard on Thursday 2nd July 20:55

Thanks for the perspective Jimmy. however i've 'done the Boxter and personally wasn't all that impressed. Admittedly mine was a 986 2.7 but i felt that i was sitting on it rather than in it and whilst it sounded good with a Porsche sports exhaust it wasn't all that quick. main issue for me was that i felt like i had a ticking time bomb with potential IMS bearing issues etc

[davidif]

maz8062 said:

I owned an AP1 S2000 and recently test drove a Mk3.5 Sport tech NC with the folding hard top. The NC handled well, although I thought the ride a tad too harsh.

My summary and the reason I didn’t buy it - it is a nearly S2000. It needs more power!

Get the S and don’t look back,

I fully expect the MX5 to be a little slower (even with the proposed BBR mods which should take it to about 185bhp) but i am pondering as to whether the difference will be that great??

It'll still be considerably cheaper and there appears to be a much greater choice of cars to choose from.

Finally i believe that both are susceptible to tin worm so i will need to look over any potential purchase very carefully.

[davidif]

Mr Tidy said:

Personally as you've had MX5s I'd be tempted to try an S2000 for a different experience, assuming budget permitted.

If it doesn't have to be Japanese and you could live with a straight 6 a BMW Z4 would be an alternative, but generally without the rust!

For S2000 money you ought to be able to find a Z4M Roadster.

Anyway good luck whatever you decide to go for.

Another possibility although i would want a manual gearbox and i'm not generally a fan of BMW manuals.

[davidif]

some very helpful info. i think I've come to the realization that for my budget any S2000 is likely to need tlc. as its going to be a third car i feel more comfortable putting say 5k aside to buy, and subtly upgrade an MX5, as to whether i'll have the better car who knows??

[davidif]

drgoatboy said:

I sold my very well sorted 5 for under £5k 6months back. That was with bbr 185, Meister's, arbs, bbr backbox, enkei wheels, hardtop etc. No rust, but a highish mileage at 80k. So if you time it right you can get a pretty capable little car for half the price of an S2000.

An S2000 was a car I always fancied, it's rarer, faster and good looking. Prices feel a bit too strong right now.

Now your old MX5 sounds exactly like how i envisage my ideal one to be. Did you build it or buy as is?